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October 2023
Civil War Photojournalism: Selections from the MHSM Collection
The Medford Historical Society & Museum welcomes Jay Stott for a talk on the organization's national treasure: its rare Civil War photo collection. Encounter the images as never before, and hone your history detective skills too. See selected images from the collection through the photographers’ eyes, as they intended them to be seen and experienced. The photos are a direct witness to the people, places and events of the American Civil War. Learn about the technical and physical challenges the…
Find out more »Sarah Bradlee Fulton Day
Medford presents its third annual Sarah Bradlee Fulton Day in tribute to the heroine of the American Revolution from Medford, sometimes referred to as "The Mother of the Boston Tea Party." This year's event will feature a special appearance by George Washington on horseback. There also will be a historical walk with Medford historian Dee Morris from 10 to 11 a.m. (register with an email to kittyhawk12348@earthlink.net), fifes and drums, Colonial dress-up for children, a scavenger hunt, and a new…
Find out more »Royall House Tours Closing Day
The Royall House & Slave Quarters concludes its 2023 guided tour season today. Tours are offered at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. No reservations are required. Admission for guided tours of the mansion is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors; $5 for students; $2 for EBT or WIC cardholders; and free for children age 12 and under, Tufts University students, Blue Star Families, and Massachusetts Teachers Association members or retirees. Admission to the Slave Quarters, which also houses the archaeological…
Find out more »Acorns & Octavia with Kaitlin Smith
Did you know that you can eat acorns, and that they're incredibly nutritious? Did you know that Octavia Butler wanted us to eat acorns, too? At the Royall House & Slave Quarters workshop "Acorns & Octavia," you will learn more about the fun, fascinating and filling (!) world of acorn harvesting, processing and consumption. Workshop leader Kaitlin Smith will also teach you about the Afrofuturist thought and writing of science fiction author Octavia Butler, who wanted us to know how…
Find out more »Inside the Hammond Castle Museum
The Medford Public Library is co-sponsoring the online program "A Look Inside the Hammond Castle Museum" with John Leysath, curatorial director of the Gloucester venue. Levsath will be your guide to the unique, medieval-style home and museum of noted scientist John Hays Hammond Jr., his collection of artifacts, and his remarkable life. Hammond was one of the most prolific inventors in U.S. history, and registered more than 500 patents throughout his career. Known as “the father of radio control,” Hammond…
Find out more »History Beneath Our Feet: The Archeology of Thomas Brooks Park
The Medford Historical Commission and The Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. (PAL) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, invite you to the program, "History Beneath Our Feet: The Archeology of Thomas Brooks Park," at the Medford Public Library. Located off of Grove Street in West Medford, Thomas Brooks Park is a wooded and grassy parcel that is an important reminder of Native Americans, northern slavery, and the Brooks family. PAL and the Historical Commission will share artifacts that were excavated by volunteers during…
Find out more »November 2023
The Great Bond of Friendship in Medford
The Medford Council on Aging welcomes historian Dee Morris of Medford for the presentation, "The Great Bond of Friendship." Many Medford residents have always had good friends no matter what century they lived in. Their life stories reveal the mutual affection that arose from these timeless relationships. Our Revolutionary War hero, Governor John Brooks (1752-1825), enjoyed socializing with Abraham Touro (1774-1822), a prosperous Jewish merchant. Lucy Osgood (1791-1873), a minister's daughter, became an outspoken supporter of freeing the enslaved because…
Find out more »December 2023
An Evening at the Museum Toy Drive & MHSM Fundraiser
The Medford Historical Society & Museum invites you to "An Evening at the Museum Toy Drive & A History of Medford in 5 Objects," an end-of-year fundraiser for the organization. Come get a glimpse of Medford’s rich history through the discussion of five unique objects or images from the MHSM collection, led by Kyna Hamill and Dee Morris. Medford Brewing Company will generously donate beer for those 21-and-over in attendance. A donation of $10 to help support MHSM is appreciated.…
Find out more »Everlasting Love in Medford
The Medford Council on Aging welcomes historian Dee Morris of Medford for the presentation, "Everlasting Love in Medford." Romantic love has always been a part of Medford history. In 1777, Medford's young Abigail Bishop received a letter from Alexander Scammell, an officer in the Continental Army. He wrote, "You are ever present in my enraptured heart." Schoolteacher John Angier and Abby Adams of Quincy built a wonderful house on High Street in 1842 to celebrate their beautiful marriage. Times change,…
Find out more »January 2024
The Two Nerdy History Girls Ride Again
You may know them as the Two Nerdy History Girls – authors Loretta Chase and Susan Holloway Scott, the originators of the infamous blog by that name. Tonight, the Medford Public Library presents the bestselling authors via Zoom. They address such questions as how do they find interesting tidbits of historical lore, which libraries of the world have they visited, and how do they avoid the inescapable “rabbit hole”? It promises to be a fascinating and entertaining conversation between these…
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